Round 2 of the Leinster Ladies Championship takes place this weekend, Dublin and Meath will look to continue their 100% start to the Senior Championship. In the intermediate grade Wexford and Offaly will battle it out in Enniscorthy on Sunday and it has the prospects of being a good encounter. Two sides who have ambitions this year meet in Longford on Sunday in the Junior Championship as Longford play host to Carlow.
Leinster Senior Championship
Dublin travel to Portlaoise this weekend to take on Laois in their second game of the Leinster SFC. The Dubs had a fine win over Kildare in their opening game and will be looking to pick up another win.
Having lost out to Dublin last weekend, Kildare will be hoping to get something out of their game away to Meath. The Royals started the championship with victory over Laois.
Laois v Dublin, Sun 28th Apr, Laois Hire O’Moore Park, 2pm
Dublin made a winning start to the defence of their Leinster title last weekend and will look for their second win when they travel to Portlaoise.
The reigning All-Ireland Champions were excellent in their win over Kildare. Mick Bohan’s side sent out a signal of their intentions for this year.
Laois were defeated in their opening game away to Meath. They battled throughout but in the end they came up short. It’ll be a real challenge for Laois against a strong Dublin side.
Meath v Kildare, Sun 28th Apr, Páirc Tailteann, 2pm
Meath will look to secure their second win in a row in the championship while Kildare will want to bounce back from their defeat to Dublin.
It’s another game on the road for the Lilywhites. Promoted from the Intermediate Championship last year, Kildare found it tough against Dublin in their opening game. They’ll hope to have learned from that defeat.
Meath defeated Laois in their first game and will want to follow it up with another win. This has the prospect of being an interesting encounter.
Leinster Intermediate Championship
Wexford and Offaly will battle it out in Enniscorthy on Sunday and it has the prospects of being a good encounter. Offaly are looking for their first win after a draw with Westmeath in their opening game.
Westmeath came from behind last weekend to draw with Offaly and will hope to pick up a win when they travel to take on Wicklow.
Wexford v Offaly, Sun 28th Apr, Starlights GAA, Enniscorthy, 2pm
Wexford started off the championship with a win at home to Wicklow last weekend. Offaly were unlucky not to claim victory over their neighbours Westmeath. The Lake County grabbed a draw at the end.
It’s a home game for Wexford and they’ll want to record another win but know that Offaly will provide a stern test as they go in search of their first victory in the competition.
These two sides met in the final league game in Division 3. Offaly came out victorious in that game; goals were crucial. A good battle is in store in Enniscorthy.
Wicklow v Westmeath, Sun 28th Apr, An Tocher, Roundwood, 2pm
Both these sides will be looking for their first win of the championship. Wicklow were defeated in their opening game while Westmeath snatched a dramatic draw against Offaly in their opener.
Last weekend Wicklow lost out to neighbours Wexford by six points. They had made a good start to the game and were ahead by four points but Wexford turned the game around.
Westmeath were behind for a lot of the game against Offaly but got a draw right at the end. They’ll hope to make a better start against Wicklow.
Leinster Junior Championship
Two sides who have ambitions this year meet in Longford on Sunday as Longford play host to Carlow. Both sides made winning starts to the championship.
Louth will look to pick up their first win on Sunday when they travel to take on Kilkenny in Dunmore.
Kilkenny v Louth, Sun 28th Apr, MW Hire Kilkenny Training Centre, Dunmore, 2pm
These two sides lost their opening fixtures. Kilkenny lost out at home to Longford while Louth were defeated away to Carlow.
Kilkenny have battled in both the league and championship but have found it very tough. Louth were relegated from the Intermediate Championship last year and will hope to be battling it out for promotion.
The Wee County will be disappointed with last weekend’s defeat to Carlow. Although it’s a home game for Kilkenny, Louth should be too strong.
Longford v Carlow, Sun 28th Apr, Glennon Brothers Pearse Park, 2pm
Both sides picked up opening day wins in the championship and will also have an eye on claiming some silverware.
Longford had a comfortable win away to Kilkenny while Carlow overcame Louth at home. Carlow have been in excellent form; claiming the Division 4 title and then that win over Louth.
These two sides met earlier in Division 4 and it ended in a draw. Longford will feel aggrieved not to have claimed the win having been ahead by five points at the break. Sunday’s game should be another tight affair.
Deniese O'Flaherty
Deniese is a freelance sports journalist/broadcaster. She has worked for several local and national media outlets. GAA and soccer are her great loves and she also follows rugby league and snooker. She's a big supporter of her local clubs St. Mary's GAA Granard and Longford Town. She also follows Celtic, Liverpool and Leeds Rhinos. She presented and produced a popular sports podcast last year where she interviewed Ray Houghton, Chris Kamara and John Hartson. Deniese is currently Head of Communications for Boccia Ireland